[3] The lake level can fluctuate significantly, depending upon the amount of runoff received from the San Dieguito River drainage basin.

Hodges Dam did not pass inspection and, as a result, San Diego Public Utilities Department was ordered to keep the maximum level of the lake 20 feet below the spillway.

[12] Due to its advanced age, Lake Hodges had been closed to the public so the dam could undergo repair work.

The water level was lowered in May 2022, when routine maintenance revealed cracks and defects, which turned the dam repairs into a yearlong process.

[13] The reservoir has to be kept at a low elevation of 280 feet due to safety concerns, which means that the city can't access the water.

[14] Lake Hodges is a popular location for hiking, birding, fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, photography, and picnicking.

Fishing is allowed 9 months of the year and near record sized Archived 2022-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Largemouth Bass have been caught in the lake.

Two other threatened bird species, the California gnatcatcher and the coastal cactus wren, can be found in the areas around the lake.